Broken Hill - Menindee - Ivanhoe - Hillston

RLC · Newbie

Broken Hill - Menindee - Ivanhoe - Hillston

Desert Dweller · Guru

BH to Menindee, good bitumen. Menindee to Ivanhoe, hope it doesn't rain, black soil plain. Ivanhoe to Booligal good bitumen. Booligal to Hillston Lachlan Valley road bitumen at

each end with around 40kms of good gravel in the centre section.

If you stay in Hillston don't miss the Chinese meals at the Club near the CP, delicious!

-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Wednesday 13th of June 2018 06:06:26 AM

RLC · Newbie

Thanks,

We had not thought of Booligal - Ivanhoe to Hillston then Griffith seemed the straightest route to Goulburn.

Does anyone know what this road is like? Going Booligal - Hillston - Griffith is a bit of a dog-leg.

Or if we do choose the Booligal route, what are the roads from there to Hay like?

Ralph

Desert Dweller · Guru

Booligal to Hay is the bitumen Cobb Highway.

RLC · Newbie

Thanks,

Any reports on Ivanhoe direct to Hillston?

Ralph

RoboLB · Senior Member

"Thinking of coming home from Broken Hill by what Google Maps shows as the most direct route - through Menindee, Ivanhoe (probably overnight), through to Hillston"

I see this thread is a few years old and wondered what the conditions are like now.

Planning to go from Broken Hill to Hillston on our way back to Sydney after Christmas.

We are in a 2WD Sprinter so best sticking to sealed roads.

Alternative route could be via Wilcannia.........

It's a pity google maps doesn't show if roads are sealed or not.

Any suggestions on a scenic (sealed) route from Broken Hill to Sydney?

-- Edited by RoboLB on Tuesday 19th of December 2023 10:02:20 AM

Possum3 · Guru

RoboLB wrote:
"Thinking of coming home from Broken Hill by what Google Maps shows as the most direct route - through Menindee, Ivanhoe (probably overnight), through to Hillston"

I see this thread is a few years old and wondered what the conditions are like now.

Planning to go from Broken Hill to Hillston on our way back to Sydney after Christmas.

We are in a 2WD Sprinter so best sticking to sealed roads.

Alternative route could be via Wilcannia.........

It's a pity google maps doesn't show if roads are sealed or not.

Any suggestions on a scenic (sealed) route from Broken Hill to Sydney?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Can't advise on current conditions as we haven't been there since 2021. But! Be aware that the runoff of current rains in Qld will be coming down through western NSW after Christmas.

HEMA maps (which are included in Camps 12 Book) do show sealed and unsealed roads.

RoboLB · Senior Member

Many thanks Possum.

-- Edited by RoboLB on Tuesday 19th of December 2023 10:56:23 AM

PeterD · Guru

RoboLB wrote:
"Thinking of coming home from Broken Hill by what Google Maps shows as the most direct route - through Menindee, Ivanhoe (probably overnight), through to Hillston"

I see this thread is a few years old and wondered what the conditions are like now.

Planning to go from Broken Hill to Hillston on our way back to Sydney after Christmas.

We are in a 2WD Sprinter so best sticking to sealed roads.

Alternative route could be via Wilcannia.........

Menindee to Ivanhoe is mainly gravel or clay topped road and is reasonably well maintained. The roads from Mossgiel and Booligal are alike. There are some natural form sections that have some gravel on top and a lot is built up natural form with heavy gravel topping that makes them all weather roads. These roads are rough to travel on, so the locals drive in the table drains in dry conditions. If you use Google Maps street view you can look along them. Here is an example, It shows the road after it has passed over a cattle grid and the traffic has headed off into the table drain again.

I travelled over those roads from Hillston to Menindee via Booligal and Ivanhoe some years back towing a soft road pop-top van with a 2WD Hilux without any problems. Looking at some spots along the roads with Street View the roads are still as I travelled them. If you don't hurry, then your Sprinters will handle those roads well. It will provide an interesting trip for you.

If you are not willing to try some good gravel roads then straight down the Barrier Highway is the only way for you. If you wish to have a look at Wilcannia then it is perfectly safe to have a look around town and stay at either of the caravan parks on the Sydney side of town. As you drive into town you will see a rough sign on your RHS directing you to a fuel depot in the backstreets, diesel is currently 34 cents cheaper there.

bristte · Veteran Member

I've driven these roads, although not this year, so I can't comment on recent conditions. Based on my experience PeterD's report is spot on as a general comment. I had a report from a friend who drove the Ivanhoe - Menindee road a couple of months ago towing a compact van with a 4WD and it sounded like the road was in pretty good condition for an outback dirt road.

RoboLB · Senior Member

Many thanks PeterD.

Our van tends to rattle itself apart on unsealed roads of any length, so we might stick to the black top!

To be expected, after all it's basically a converted delivery van!

-- Edited by RoboLB on Thursday 21st of December 2023 02:55:18 PM

-- Edited by RoboLB on Thursday 21st of December 2023 02:56:08 PM

RoboLB · Senior Member

Thanks for the tips folks,.

Just back from our brief 'loop' out to Broken Hill. 6 days / 5 nights.
We stuck with the sealed roads that were all great.
Big skies, broad landscapes.........and thousands of goats.

Overnights in Griffith, Mildura, Broken Hill, Cobar and Orange.

-- Edited by RoboLB on Monday 1st of January 2024 12:31:18 PM

-- Edited by RoboLB on Monday 1st of January 2024 12:32:04 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

I have never had an issue on soft sand, water or difficult rock surfaces with my AWD Freelander (not a 4wd).

Can't see why a Kluger can't cope.

Let your tyres down. Have seen bogged 4WDs next to us wondering how we got through.

Tyre pressure solves most dodgy ground issues.

StewG · Senior Member

Twice last year (2023 June and August) we tried to drive through Ivanhoe from Hay and twice we were turned back due to rain and consequent road closures. We got as far as Booligal, but had to turn around because the roads into and out of Ivanhoe were closed. It is best to check at Hay or Hillston or Wilcannia Tourist Centre (whichever is on your route) to find out the latest road condition status.

PeterD · Guru

Actually, it's best to check here - Live Traffic NSW

bristte · Veteran Member

I prefer to check with the local councils, who have web pages detailing the current road conditions, as they are the ones who make the assessments and close or open the roads. In my experience Live Traffic isn't always up to date. (This is not a NSW-specific comment.)

-- Edited by bristte on Wednesday 3rd of January 2024 08:52:09 AM